Technical Analysis
A blend of several components of Chardonnay from Paul Cluver's Elgin estate, 2020 was the inaugural vintage of Village Chardonnay.
Tasting note
This wine is a beautifully poised expression of Chardonnay, with notes of citrus and citrus blossom followed by aromas of white peach and a maritime salinity. The energetic, fresh palate is long and lingering with a delicate fine finish.
Vintage conditions
After a cold winter with good rainfall, fine growing conditions lead to the 2023 harvest. The moderate day temperatures and cool nights were ideal for the development of flavour and retaining high natural acidities in the grapes. However, unseasonal bouts of rain in March made for challenging vineyard conditions during harvest. Fortunately, precision vineyard management programmes and logistical astuteness in the cellar allowed for the harvest to be completed with a healthy crop of fruit of optimal quality. The cool summer made for a late start to harvest, with the picking of Chardonnay commencing on the 15th of February. The last Chardonnay grapes were harvested on the 21st of March. Picking in the early hours of the morning, grapes are cooled overnight in cold storage to ensure vibrant freshness and health. Grapes were harvested between 21.2-22.8 ° Brix., with acidities between 6.2 and 8.4 g/l.
Vinification details
This wine is a blend of several components of Chardonnay from different vineyards on the Estate, the vine age of these vineyards range between 6 and 18 years. This wine was fermented and aged in a variety of vessels for complexity and a broad, nuanced flavour spectrum.16% in stainless steel, 41% fermented in 2500 l oak vats, 50%; 8% was fermented and aged in Concrete Egg with the balance in older 300l French barrels. All wines were fermented spontaneously and aged on the lees for 8 months. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was blended, stabilised, and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
DWWA & IWC: Silver
Tim Atkin MW: 92 pts
Technical Analysis
A blend of several components of Chardonnay from Paul Cluver's Elgin estate, 2020 was the inaugural vintage of Village Chardonnay.
Tasting note
This wine is a great expression Chardonnay, bursting with citrus and citrus blossom notes followed by aromas of white peach and complemented with a great fresh palate which is long and lingering. These characteristics follow through onto the palate that reveals the natural, fine and fresh acidity of the wine with a lingering aftertaste.
Vintage conditions
After a cold winter with good rainfall, great growing conditions lead to the 2022 harvest. The moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures were ideal for the development of flavour and the retaining of high natural acidities in the grapes. 2022 was one of the latest harvests, picking Chardonnay commenced on the 18th of February. The last grapes were harvested on the 25th of March. Picking in the early hours of the morning, grapes are cooled overnight in cold storage to ensure optimal quality. Grapes were harvested between 21-22.6 ° Brix., with acidities between 7.2 and 8 g/l
Vinification details
This wine is a blend of several components of Chardonnay from different vineyards on the Estate, the vine age of these vineyards range between 5 and 18 years. This wine was partially tank fermented; 8% (unoaked), fermented in 2500 l oak vats, 50%; 6% was fermented and aged in Concrete Egg with the balance of 36% fermented and aged in older 300l barrels. All wines were fermented naturally and aged on the lees for 8 months. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was blended, stabilised, and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
DWWA & IWC: Silver
Tim Atkin MW: 91 pts
Platter: 90 pts
The Buyer: Top 100 Wines
Technical Analysis
A blend of several components of Chardonnay from Paul Cluver's Elgin estate, 2020 was the inaugural vintage of Village Chardonnay.
Tasting note
A lightly oaked Chardonnay, bursting with citrus and fresh Granny Smith apple notes, followed by nuances of white peach and complemented with subtle hints of oak. These characteristics follow through onto the palate which reveals natural, fresh and fine acidity, with a lingering finish.
Vintage conditions
The 2020 growing season consisted of moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures, ideal for the development of great quality grapes. A good volume of rain fell in October 2019 and January 2020 which benefited the vineyards greatly. Harvesting of the 2020 Chardonnay grapes started early on 31st January, with the last grapes being harvested on 11th March. Harvest was done by hand in the early hours of the morning, thus delivering cool grapes to the cellar. Grapes were harvested between 20-23° Brix, with acidities between 7.0 and 8.5g/l.
Vinification details
Cluver’s Village Chardonnay was fermented in large foudre oak vats (2500L), older small oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The small oak barrel component was left to spontaneously ferment, while the other two components were inoculated with a selection of Burgundian yeast strains. Nurtured for 7 months on the lees and then the blending trails commenced before the wine was stabilised and prepared for bottling.
